After a dreadful performance against Newcastle at the London Stadium which saw West Ham lose 3-2, the pressure is mounting on Manuel Pellegrini and his under-performing side.
That was unacceptable. West Ham were absolutely torn apart by Newcastle United at the London Stadium on Saturday. The Magpies scored two goals in the first half off of set pieces and quickly added a third off of a free-kick early in the second half to take a commanding 3-0 lead on the Hammers. Goals by Fabian Balbuena and Robert Snodgrass made the scoreline look respectable for the Irons, but do not be fooled, this was a shocking performance from Pellegrini’s men
After a great start to the season, the Hammers now find themselves in a bit of trouble. The team is conceding more goals, having trouble scoring now, and cannot seem to find a balanced lineup. Sebastien Haller looks lost and isolated up top, and Felipe Anderson cannot seem to string together more than a couple of passes without losing possession. Manuel Pellegrini has to start to answer these questions.
The manager rightly so has come under fire after this match for not changing the XI that drew to Sheffield United the week prior, a bogus decision in my opinion. Although some fans are willing to be more patient with the manager, there is a very large contingency of fans that would like to see Pellegrini sacked for the lack of progress the squad has made as voiced on social media. Although I personally can’t see it happening this season, these repeated kinds of performances are not acceptable for a club trying to get to the next level.
The two major issues that seem to be plaguing the manager right now is the lack of a solidified starting XI, and some major players and new signings not living up to the potential we all thought they had. Let’s call it what it is, Pablo Fornals has been a massive flop thus far, and cannot seem to get into the starting XI. When he does, he has massively disappointed thus far in-game action even as a second-half substitute. Haller started the season off well, but lately has been a ghost and is not scoring at the rates most fans would have expected for his price tag.
Pellegrini has also made some major errors in regards to team selection. What could Angelo Ogbonna and Ryan Fredericks have done to have been dropped from the XI for Balbuena and Pablo Zabaleta? Balbuena has been poor all season, and Zabaleta should be coaching instead of playing. It is these mind-boggling decisions that have many Hammers fans calling for Pellegrini’s head. West Ham needs to get their act together immediately or else this season could turn real ugly, real quick.